Lampholder

ABSTRACT

A lampholder, for use with a lamp having a pair of connection pins, includes an insulating housing with a pair of recesses elongated in the direction of an axis through the connection pins. The housing also includes a pair of channels, with each channel extending between one edge of the housing and one of the recesses. A pair of contacts are mounted in the housing. Each contact has an elongated, resilient pin engaging section positioned adjacent one of the recesses.

United States Patent 151 3,686,618 Gales [451 Aug. 22, 1972 [5 LAMPHOLDER 3,107,963 10/1963 Hansen ..339/65 X [72] Inventor: Richard J. Gales, Bethel, Conn. FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS [731 Assignefi General Electric Company 829,754 1/1952 Germany ..339/191 [22] Filed: July 17, 1970 Przmary Examiner-Marvin A. Champion PP 55,912 Assistant Examiner-Terrell P. Leurs Att0rneyJohn M. Stoudt, Radford M. Reams, Ralph [52] Us Cl 339/53 339/65 R 339/191 R E. Krisher, Jr., Frank L. Neuhauser and Oscar B.

51 Int. Cl. ..H01r 33/08 wadde [58] Field of Search ..339/50, 52, 53,54, 55, 56, TRQ

339/57, 65, 66, 191, 192, 176 P, 17 L, 17 [57] ABS T LM A lampholder, for use with a lamp having a pair of connection pins, includes an insulating housing with a [56] References Cited pair of recesses elongated in the direction of an axis through the connection pins. The housing also in- UNITED STATES PATENTS cludes a pair of channels, with each channel extending 2 313 036 3/1943 Bun 339/53 X between one. edge of the housing and one of the 2285146 6/1942 339/53 recesses. A pair of contacts are mounted in the hous- 32067l0 9/1965 M f S 53 X ing. Each contact has an elongated, resilient pin en- 3O6O399 10 I 6 2 s z m 5 gaging section positioned adjacent one of the recesses. 2,349,255 5/1944 Epstein ..339/50 R X 4 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures Y N, '7 Q i f Y 2/ V 44 4e 44 4 45 25a a9 26 23a, 37 as I 30 o e Z9 Z7 l s 4a .26

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to lampholders and more particularly to lampholders for use with lamps such as bipin fluorescent lamps.

Fluorescent lamps normally are constructed with elongated glass tubes sealed at each end with metal end caps. Often the end caps are of the bi-pin type. That is each end cap has a pair of spaced apart connection pins which are received in a lampholder to support and make electrical connection with the lamp. Very often such lamps are mounted in overhead or ceiling type fixtures and users have experienced some difficulty in inserting the pins into prior lampholders. Also, while many such lamps employ essentially straight envelopes of glass, there are a number of lamp designs in which the envelope is curved. One such design is a U-tube lamp in which the envelope is return bent so as to have a form generally like a U. With such curved lamps the spacing between end caps cannot be maintained within extremely strict tolerances. Thus, while the spacing between the pairs of pins on an end cap varies very little from cap to cap, the lateral spacing between the pairs of pins on the two ends may vary somewhat from lamp to lamp. This makes it even more difficult to insert the pins into the usually available lampholders.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide an improved lampholder.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved lampholder for use with bi-pin lamps.

Still another object is to provide an improved lampholder with greater ease of connection pin insertion coupled with firm mechanical retention and positive electrical contact of the pins in the lampholder.

A further object of this invention is to provide an improved lampholder which allows for variation in the positioning of the connection pins.

The invention, in one embodiment thereof, provides a lampholder for use with a lamp having a pair of spaced apart connection pins defining an axis therethrough. The lampholder includes a housing of insulative material with a pair of spaced apart contacts mounted in the housing for engagement with the connection pins. Each of the contacts includes a resilient, pin engaging section elongated in the direction of the axis defined by the pins. The housing includes a pair of spaced apart walls elongated in the direction of the axis defined by the pins. Each wall is slightly spaced from a corresponding pin engaging section for firmly receiving a corresponding pin therebetween.

The above mentioned and other features and objects of this invention and the manner of attaining them will become more apparent, and the invention itself will be better understood by reference to the following description of an embodiment of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, wherein:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a partial plan view of a U-shaped lamp mounted in a fixture using a pair of lampholders embodying one form of the present invention, with the cover of the fixture removed for illustration;

FIG. 2 is an elevational view of a lampholder illustrated in the fixture of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an elevational view similar to FIG. 2 but with the cover removed for illustration;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view as seen along line 4- 4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of one end of the illustrated lampholder; and

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the other end of the illustrated lampholder.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawing, and particularly to FIG. 1, there is shown a U-tube fluorescent lamp 10 mounted in a lamp fixture 11 by means of a pair of lampholders 12. The fixture 11 includes a peripheral wall 13 and a cover, which has been removed in FIG. 1 for purposes of illustration. The two lampholders 12 are attached to one portion of the peripheral wall 13 by some suitable means such as bolts 14 and nuts 15., Each of the lampholders 12 is positioned in the fixture 13 to mechanically support and make electrical connection with one end of the U-tube lamp 10. Each of the distal ends of the lamp 10 is closed with a metal or plastic cap 16 having a pair of connection pins 17 extending therefrom for insertion in the lampholders 12. With the particular U-tube lamp shown the end caps 16 are connected by band or brace 18 which improves their structural stability. With curved lamps, such as a U-tube lamp for instance, the spacing of the distal ends of the lamp cannot be so closely controlled that the end caps will have the same spacing from lamp to lamp. The lampholders 12, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, allow for such variation in spacing and provide easy insertion of the pins into the lampholder with subsequent firm mechanical retention and sure electrical connection.

Referring now particularly to F IGS. 26 various aspects of the lampholders 12 will be described in more detail. Each of the lampholders 12 includes a housing 20 formed of insulative material. More particularly the housing includes a base 21 molded from a suitable insulative material such as a phenolic resin and a cover 22 secured to the base 21 by a metal clip 23 which is received with a close friction fit in suitable openings 23a in the base.

Referring particularly to FIG. 3, in which the cover 22 has been removed for purposes of illustration, the base 20 is formed as a generally hollow molding having lateral edges 24, 25, 26 and 27 and a central dividing wall or partition 28 which divides the main portion of the base into a pair of contact receiving recesses 29 and 30. At the upper end of the contact receiving recesses 29, 30 the base 20 is formed with a pair of spaced apart connection pin receiving recesses 31 and 32. Each of the recesses 31, 32 is elongated generally along a line parallel to an axis defined by the set of connection pins 17 received in such a lampholder. That is, they generally extend in a direction across the lampholder between lateral edges 26 and 27.

Connection pin guiding channels 33 and 34 extend between the pin receiving recesses 31, 32 respectively and the lateral wall 24. Each of the recesses is divergent toward the lateral edge 24 so that, adjacent the lateral edge, they are wider than they are where they communicate with the pin receiving recesses 31, 32. Also, as shown in more detail in FIG. 4, channels are of a varying depth, having a high point or minimum depth point, as shown at 35, intermediate the pin recess and the lateral edge. Thus the pin guiding channels have a varying cross-sectional area being largest adjacent the lateral edge 24. With such an arrangement the person inserting the connection pins of the lamp into the lampholder does not have to align the pins exactly with the pin receiving recess, as the channels have a larger cross-sectional area at the lateral edge. Once the pins are within the confines of the channels they will be guided into the corresponding pin receiving recesses. Also the high point 35 will mask the electrical connections within the lampholder from the lateral edge 24.

A pair of contacts generally indicated at 36 and 37 are mounted in the contact receiving recesses 29, 30.

The central portion of each contact is formed as a how 38 which fits around an enlarged portion 39 of the dividing wall 28. At the lower end of each bowed portion 38 (as seen in FIG. 3) there is provided an outwardly extending tab or conductor engaging portion 40. As best seen in FIG. 4, each of the conductor connecting portions is bifurcated or formed into a pair of tongues 41 which may be curved for better engagement with the conductor and are positioned over openings 42 formed in the lateral edge 25. With this arrangement the bared end of each conductor inserted through a corresponding opening 42 will be trapped between the edge of one of the tongues 41 and the adjacent lateral edge 26 or 27 of the base 20. Where each of the conductor engaging portions 40 merges with a corresponding bowed portion 38 each of the contacts is received around a post 43 for firmly positioning the lower end of the contact. At the other end of the bowed portion 38, each contact is formed with a generally outwardly and upwardly extending arm 44 (as seen in FIG. 3), with each of the arms extending adjacent a cam surface 45 formed in the base 20. The outer end of each of the arms 44 is return bent to form an inwardly extending pin engaging section 46. Each of the pin engaging sections 46 is elongated generally in the direction of the axis defined by the connection pins of a corresponding lamp, that is generally parallel to the adjacent pin receiving recesses 31,32. The pin engaging sections partially overlap the pin receiving recesses 31 so that each pin engaging section is slightly spaced from the upper wall 47 of the corresponding pin receiving recess.

With this arrangement, as the connection pins of a lamp are inserted in the lampholder, the pins move through the channels 33, 34 and are received in the pin receiving recesses 31, 32. As the pins reach the pin receiving recesses, they come into contact with the pin engaging sections 46 and deflect them downwardly (as seen in FIG. 3), with some bending movement about the arms 44 and some movement of the arms 44. The arms 44 quickly engage the cams 45 to limit this movement and to assure that there is good electrical contact between the contacts 36 and 37 and the pins. Also the minimum depth area 35 of the channels masks the connection between the pins and contacts from the lateral edge 24.

Thus it will be seen that with lampholders such as that just described, there may be differences in the spacing between the two pins associated with one end cap and a variation in the spacing between the end caps of the lamp and the lamp still may be easily inserted in the lampholder. Yet, at the same time, once the pins are received in the lampholder they are held with a firm mechanical engagement and a sure electrical connection to the contacts.

It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that while I have described what at present is considered to be the preferred embodiment of this invention, in accordance with the Patent Statutes, changes may be made in the disclosed apparatus without actually departing from the true spirit and scope of this invention.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. For use with a lamp having a pair of spaced apart connection pins defining an axis therethrough; a lampholder, comprising: a housing of insulative material; a pair of spaced apart contacts mounted in said housing for engagement with the connection pins; each of said contacts including a pin engaging section elongated in the direction of the axis defined by the pins; said housing including a pair of spaced apart, pin guiding channels for guiding the pair of spaced apart lamp connection pins in a predetermined direction towards said pin engaging contact sections; said housing further including a pair of spaced apart walls disposed substantially normal said predetermined direction and elongated in the direction of the axis defined by the pins; each of said contact pin engaging sections being resilient in said predetermined direction; each of said walls being slightly spaced from a corresponding pin engaging section for firmly receiving a corresponding pin therebetween; and each of said channels communicating with a corresponding one of said walls.

2. For use with a lamp having a pair of spaced apart connection pins defining an axis therethrough; a lampholder, comprising: a housing of insulative material; a pair of spaced apart contacts mounted in said housing for engagement with the connecting pins; each of said contacts including a resilient, pin engaging section elongated in the direction of the axis defined by the pins; said housing including a pair of spaced apart walls elongated in the direction of the axis defined by the pins and a pair of spaced apart, pin guiding channels; each of said pin guiding channels communicating with a corresponding one of said walls and being of varying depth, having a minimum depth intermediate its ends; and each of said walls being slightly spaced from a corresponding pin engaging section for firmly receiving a corresponding pin therebetween.

3. For use with a lamp having a pair of spaced apart connection pins defining an axis therethrough; a lampholder, comprising: a housing of insulative material; a pair of recesses formed in said housing, exposed to one surface of said housing for receiving the pins; each of said recesses being elongated in the direction of the axis defined by the pins; a pair of spaced apart contacts mounted in said housing; each of said contacts including a pin engaging section elongated in the direction of the axis defined by the pins; each of said pin engaging sections being disposed adjacent a corresponding one of said pair of recesses for engaging a corresponding pin when the pin is received in said recess; said housing further includes a pair of spaced apart channels exposed to said one surface of said housing; each of said channels extending in a predetermined direction between a lateral edge of said housing and a corresponding one at said recesses; and each of said pin engaging sections being resilient in said predetermined direction.

4. For use with a lamp having a pair of spaced apart connection pins defining an axis therethrough; a lampholder, comprising: a housing of insulative material; a pair of recessesformed in said housing, exposed to one surface of said housing for receiving the pins; each of said recesses being elongated in the direction of the axis defined by the pins; a pair of spaced apart contacts mounted in said housing; each of said contacts including a resilient, pin engaging section elongated in the direction of the axis defined by the pins; each of said pin engaging sections being disposed adjacent a corresponding one of said pair of recesses for engaging a corresponding pin when the pin is received in said recess; said housing further including a pair of spaced apart channels exposed to said one surface of said housing with each of said channels extending between a lateral edge of said housing and a corresponding one of said recesses, and with each of said channels being of varying depth along its length, having a minimum depth intermediate its ends. 

1. For use with a lamp having a pair of spaced apart connection pins defining an axis therethrough; a lampholder, comprising: a housing of insulative material; a pair of spaced apart contacts moUnted in said housing for engagement with the connection pins; each of said contacts including a pin engaging section elongated in the direction of the axis defined by the pins; said housing including a pair of spaced apart, pin guiding channels for guiding the pair of spaced apart lamp connection pins in a predetermined direction towards said pin engaging contact sections; said housing further including a pair of spaced apart walls disposed substantially normal said predetermined direction and elongated in the direction of the axis defined by the pins; each of said contact pin engaging sections being resilient in said predetermined direction; each of said walls being slightly spaced from a corresponding pin engaging section for firmly receiving a corresponding pin therebetween; and each of said channels communicating with a corresponding one of said walls.
 2. For use with a lamp having a pair of spaced apart connection pins defining an axis therethrough; a lampholder, comprising: a housing of insulative material; a pair of spaced apart contacts mounted in said housing for engagement with the connecting pins; each of said contacts including a resilient, pin engaging section elongated in the direction of the axis defined by the pins; said housing including a pair of spaced apart walls elongated in the direction of the axis defined by the pins and a pair of spaced apart, pin guiding channels; each of said pin guiding channels communicating with a corresponding one of said walls and being of varying depth, having a minimum depth intermediate its ends; and each of said walls being slightly spaced from a corresponding pin engaging section for firmly receiving a corresponding pin therebetween.
 3. For use with a lamp having a pair of spaced apart connection pins defining an axis therethrough; a lampholder, comprising: a housing of insulative material; a pair of recesses formed in said housing, exposed to one surface of said housing for receiving the pins; each of said recesses being elongated in the direction of the axis defined by the pins; a pair of spaced apart contacts mounted in said housing; each of said contacts including a pin engaging section elongated in the direction of the axis defined by the pins; each of said pin engaging sections being disposed adjacent a corresponding one of said pair of recesses for engaging a corresponding pin when the pin is received in said recess; said housing further includes a pair of spaced apart channels exposed to said one surface of said housing; each of said channels extending in a predetermined direction between a lateral edge of said housing and a corresponding one of said recesses; and each of said pin engaging sections being resilient in said predetermined direction.
 4. For use with a lamp having a pair of spaced apart connection pins defining an axis therethrough; a lampholder, comprising: a housing of insulative material; a pair of recesses formed in said housing, exposed to one surface of said housing for receiving the pins; each of said recesses being elongated in the direction of the axis defined by the pins; a pair of spaced apart contacts mounted in said housing; each of said contacts including a resilient, pin engaging section elongated in the direction of the axis defined by the pins; each of said pin engaging sections being disposed adjacent a corresponding one of said pair of recesses for engaging a corresponding pin when the pin is received in said recess; said housing further including a pair of spaced apart channels exposed to said one surface of said housing with each of said channels extending between a lateral edge of said housing and a corresponding one of said recesses, and with each of said channels being of varying depth along its length, having a minimum depth intermediate its ends. 